[1][2] The process of direct democracy in Oregon came out of several reforms proposed by members from the Progressive Movement.
These were the first successful reforms in the state to combat electoral fraud and vote buying.
U'Ren committed to direct legislation as a way combat corrupt practices in government, using it as a tool to break through the political gridlock in the state legislature.
U'Ren's People's Party struck a deal with Bourne's faction preventing reelection of Mitchell due to lack of quorum in the State's House of Representatives, preventing any legislation being passed that year in the state.
Called the "Holdup of '97", Bourne denied Mitchell's reelection and committed to passing U'Ren's direct legislation constitutional amendment.